VIRTUAL reality (VR) technology could soon transform the investigation of crime scenes and fires across Europe.
A new protocol for capturing fire and crime scenes using VR is being developed by forensic scientists at the University of Dundee’s Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS).
In collaboration with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Forensic Services, the VR software has already been successfully used in training exercises.
Interest in this innovative technology is spreading across Europe, with a demonstration planned for the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) fire and explosion investigation working group meeting later this year.
Professor Niamh Nic Daeid, Director of LRCFS, said: “Introducing new technologies into the justice system has to be done carefully so that the scientific standards required by the courts are met.
“Working in partnership with practitioners from different agencies, as well as our legal colleagues, will bring us closer to using VR both for training but also potentially in casework.”
To create immersive VR representations of fire scenes, researchers at LRCFS burn mocked-up units replicating residential rooms.
Footage of the damage is recorded with traditional cameras and transformed into immersive VR experiences, allowing investigators to revisit the scene multiple times and use the same scene in various training sessions.
This virtual tool helps fire investigators and forensic scientists estimate the fire’s start point, cause, and development.
The most recent controlled fire exercise took place on June 5 at a training and research facility in Portlethen, Aberdeenshire, which opened last year.
Representatives from SFRS, SPA Forensic Services, LRCFS, and independent fire investigation body Hawkins participated in a workshop with the VR software after the burn.
Steven Corrigan, SFRS Group Commander, stated: “Exercises such as this controlled burn are important and hugely worthwhile for fire investigators to train in a unique and dynamic environment.
By simulating fire scenarios and using VR technology to revisit the scene, our fire investigators will be able to identify causes of fires and how these may be prevented.”
Karen Robertson, Forensic Lead for SPA Forensic Services, added: “This innovative facility allows SPA Forensic Services to work with live test burns and use the latest technology to improve the high-quality fire investigations we deliver as part of our commitment to scientific excellence.
“This novel approach created by LRCFS has now been adopted by SPA Forensic Services, through significant work delivered by Police Scotland Digital Division.”
The VR tool was previously trialled by SFRS and SPA Forensic Services using footage LRCFS researchers obtained while working with Danish Police fire investigators.
Using immersive technology increased the number of investigators who could determine crucial factors relating to the fire’s origin and development.
Some participants could recall the layout and draw accurate sketches, including objects and burn patterns, after reviewing the scene in VR.
Vincenzo Rinaldi, VR Specialist at LRCFS, noted: “Our results showed there was a general improvement in the formulation of hypotheses of the cause and origin of the fire and its development.
“There was greater confidence in the hypothesis being presented when VR was included alongside traditional documents.”
The recording process was initially designed by PhD student Sang-hun (Sean) Yu, jointly supervised by LRCFS and the University’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.
The team continues to research to further improve footage quality and develop the technology into a professional tool.
